Don’t jump the gun with Kusal: Mahela

Former Sri Lankan cricket captain Mahela Jayawardena said today that everyone should remain positive and should not make early-statements about the result on the random drug test done on Kusal Janith Perera.

Nissanka Senadhipathi quizzed by CID

The CID today recorded a statement from Avant Garde Maritime Security (Pvt.) Limited Chairman Nissanka Senadhipathi after interrogating him for about three hours in connection with a complaint made by three Cabinet Ministers.

Train blocks Borella-Rajagiriya Road

Heavy traffic was reported for more than an hour in Borella, Rajagiriya and the surrounding areas today because of a train which had stalled at the level crossing on Cotta Road due to a technical fault.

Railway fines to be doubled

Transport Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva yesterday instructed the Railways Department to increase penalty fine to Rs 5,000 with effect from January.

SF at Bribery Commission

Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka arrived at the Bribery Commission a short while ago to lodge a complaint against the Avant Garde Maritime Security Company.

Special flight to bring back stranded Sri Lankans

A special Sri Lankan flight will land in New Delhi this afternoon to bring back 305 Sri Lankans stranded in India.

One killed, 7 injured in expressway accident

A 28-year-old woman was killed and seven other people were injured when a van skidded off the road and crashed into a safety fence at the 73 km post on the Southern Expressway this morning, Police said.

18-month-old baby abandoned in Mirihana

Police found an 18-month-old baby abandoned in Pitakotte, Mirihana yesterday.

CEPA coming as ETCA, says GMOA

A group International Trade Ministry officials will leave for India on December 21 to make a final decision on the Economic and Technology Cooperative Agreement (ETCA) with India which was earlier known as Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) revealed on Monday.

Mahela, Sanga auctioned for inaugural MCL

Former Sri Lankan star cricketers Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara were auctioned for 550,000 USDs at an auction held today for the inaugural edition of the Masters Champions League (MCL) which would be held in Dubai in January next year.

GMOA to send letter of demand to Patali

The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) today said a letter of demand would be sent to Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka for allegedly making defamatory comments alleging a connection between the island-wide strike launched last week by the GMOA and some other professional groups with the Avant Garde issue.

Father of two caught while honeymooning

A married man who was employed as an executive of a private company was caught red-handed by his wife while honeymooning with a 24-year-old woman at a star class hotel in Colombo today.

JVP condemns proposal to exempt tax

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today criticized the budget proposal to exempt taxes on foreigners when purchasing lands in Sri Lanka and asked whether those who voted for the government were foreigners.

Kusal recalled after positive drug test

SLC today recalled batsman Kusal Janith Perera from New Zealand after a sample he provided for random drug testing during the recent Pakistani tour had yielded a positive result for a banned substance.

President to ban polythene

President Maithripala Sirisena told parliament today that regulations would be introduced to ban polythene from January 1, next year.

VIP family behind killing of Thajudeen: Rajitha

Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne said yesterday the CCTV evidence is available to prove that members of VIP families were involved in the assault and the killing of Havelock’s rugby captain Wasim Thajudeen.

Voucher programme: Action against principals, teachers who sabotage

Education Ministry will consider taking disciplinary action against principals or teachers who refuse to support the cash-voucher-distributing system which has been nationally approved, Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said today.

Narahenpita Crime OIC released on bail

Crime OIC of Narahenpita Police, Thissasiri Sugathapala, who was in remand custody for allegedly soliciting a bribe of Rs. 25,000 was released on Rs. 15,000 cash bail with two sureties of Rs. 1 million each by Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya today.

Nalaka Godahewa and two others remanded

Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, former Chairman of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and two others who were arrested in connection with an alleged fraud at the SEC in 2013, were remanded till December 14 by the Colombo Fort Magistrate.

Premalal Jayasekara released on bail

UPFA MP Premalal Jayasekara alias ‘Choka Malli’ who was in remand custody over a shooting incident in Kahawatta during the presidential election campaign, was granted bail by the Appeal Court today.

MR’s security intact: Kiriella

House Leader and Minister Lakshman Kiriella today informed parliament that the security provided to former president Mahinda Rajapaksa had not been reduced.

Strong earthquake hits Tajikistan; tremors felt in India, Pakistan

Strong 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit Tajikistan on Monday with tremors being felt in North India. Tremors were also felt in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, Zee News reported today.

Teachers won’t sign vouchers from next year: Union

The Government Teachers’ and Principals’ Union said today that from next year, teachers belonging to the Union would refrain from signing cash vouchers to purchase school uniforms.

HIV testing for A/L, university students

University and GCE Advanced Level students will be tested for HIV and all other diseases in future, Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne informed Parliament today.

Collusion between GMOA and Avant Garde backers? - Champika

The government should investigate whether there was a connection between the island-wide strike launched last week by the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) and some other professional groups, and the Avant Garde issue, said Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, yesterday.

Dr. Godahewa arrested

Former Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka, Dr. Nalaka Godahewa has been arrested by the Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) this morning.

Admisssion to grade one: new method irks police, armed forces

Members of the police and armed forces disapprove of changes made by the Education Department regarding the admission of children to grade one of popular schools.

Nalaka Godahewa arrives at FCID

Former Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka, Dr. Nalaka Godahewa arrived at the Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) this morning.

Dayasiri and Akila had ironed out their differences

Ministers Dayasiri Jayasekera and Akila Viraj Kariyawasam who were at loggerheads with each other since the days they were in the United National Party (UNP) had ironed out their differences, political sources said.

JHU pledges to stay with govt.till 2020

Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka yesterday averred that the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU)’s support which was extended to President Maithripala Sirisena and the current coalition government would continue until 2020, even if the government had to face problems in the future.